Florida Woman Caught Making Bomb In Mason Jar At Walmart: Cops

By Bill GalluccioJan 14, 2020

A Florida woman was taken into custody after she allegedly made a bomb inside of a Tampa Walmart. 37-year-old Emily Stallard was walking around the store with her son for about an hour when a security guard became suspicious of her actions.

By the time an off-duty police officer and the security guard confronted Stallard, she was seconds away from igniting her homemade explosive. Authorities said she had filled a mason jar with denatured alcohol and nails and was about to light a candle that was also inside the jar.

"This woman had all the supplies she needed to cause mass destruction at her disposal. Had it not been for an observant off-duty law enforcement officer and a watchful security staff at Walmart, she may have followed through with her plans to cause an explosion inside the store," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

Stallard fought back, but the off-duty officer managed to detain her until deputies arrived to take her into custody. She is facing charges of attempted arson, firebombing, child abuse, and battery of a law enforcement officer. Officials did not say why she was trying to create a bomb.

Authorities praised the security guard and off-duty officer, who just happened to be shopping at the time, for their vigilance, which prevented a potential tragedy.